Jason Larkin
UK
Tales from the City of Gold
Tales from the City of Gold
A city built on gold, Johannesburg was founded in 1886, when settlers and immigrants descended on the largest reef of the precious metal ever to be discovered. The area transformed quickly into a mining mecca. This vast and rapid expansion reflected the increasing global thirst for gold as a commodity and helped fuel a government that changed South Africa forever.
Long after the mining has finished, its environmental and social impact is still embedded in the fabric of modern Johannesburg. Tailings dams, the by-product of past extractions, now exist as manufactured mountains of waste. Six billion tonnes of these ‘mine dumps’ form the backdrop of Southern Africa’s largest city. These vast monuments are a constant reminder of the productivity of the past, whilst attracting a plethora of contemporary activities.
Tales From The City Of Gold explores these tailings as an integrated extension of the thriving metropolis that surrounds them. Anthropological in its approach, this project is the result of living in Johannesburg for two years, observing the ordinary and extraordinary nature of life alongside the dumps. Focusing on the coexistence between past and present allows a unique perspective on the actions of previous generations and reveals that impact on our society and environment today.
Jason Larkin
Jason Larkin is a British photographer, internationally recognised for his long-term social documentary projects and his portraiture and reportage assignments work.
Soon after completing his MA in Photojournalism Jason moved to Cairo and started his career. Focusing on cultural representation and its changing landscape across Egypt, his immersive attitude and a slower approach to journalism allowed for comprehensive bodies of work that communicated on important social, economic and political issues in the region. His first publication Cairo Divided, a unique and freely distributed bilingual newspaper exploring the capital’s rapidly-mutating urban landscape, was nominated for the Deutsche Börse and Prix Pictet photography awards.
He then focused his attention on the long and complicated legacy of the mining industry and the impact left on one of Africa’s largest cities, Johannesburg. Eventually moving there for over two years to complete this body of work.
He has work published and is commissioned regularly by leading international periodicals including Monolce, Colors, FT Weekend, Guardian Weekend, and National Geographic. Recent recognition to his work earned him the PDN New Portraiture Award (USA) and the Hereford Photography Festival Commission (UK). Exhibitions have included the Brighton Photo Biennial 2012, Flowers Gallery, London and a solo show at the Farnsworth Art Museum, USA.
Now based in London he has been continuing his focus on themes of social and collective identity surrounding environments and their interaction with the surrounding landscape.
